DOT Initiates its Shutdown Plan

The Department has initiated its shutdown plan for continuing operations as a lapse in annual appropriations has occurred. All DOT, including FAA, safety operations continue to function with no impact to safety or safety oversight for the traveling public.

The Federal Transit Administration Summary of Suspended Activities:

• FTA would not continue any of its unfunded core agency functions. No grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, purchase orders, travel authorizations, or other documents obligating funds would be executed.
• FTA customarily reimburses transit agencies for ongoing operations and construction projects to enable them to provide transit services and pay employees and contractors. October is typically a month where grantees request substantial reimbursements. Payments average about $226 million per week.
• FTA would not obligate grant funds for projects carried out by approximately 1,300 grantees throughout the country as FTA staff that perform these functions are not considered excepted employees. FTA grants primarily fund operating expenses and capital projects.
• For projects under development, FTA staff would not carry out environmental, legal, civil rights, and other reviews essential for advancing projects to the point of obligation, since these are not related to immediate issues of life and safety.
• FTA would not make grant payments using FTA’s Financial Management Systems or vendor payments to contractors using the DELPHI accounting systems regardless of the fiscal year cited since appropriations would not be available to pay the salaries of the staff certifying and executing the payments.
• Program oversight activities would continue but only with funds provided by prior year appropriations. Most oversight activities are performed by contractors.
• FTA would also not obligate or outlay funds for research and technical assistance activities because appropriations would not be available to pay the salaries of the staff executing the payments.

Summary of Suspended Activities and Status of Grant Payments for the Federal Railroad Administration:

• Functions to be suspended during a lapse of appropriations include all activities assigned to the Office of Railroad Policy and Development (RPD). RPD is the primary grantor of Federal funding to Amtrak, supporting Amtrak’s operating, capital, and debt service requirements. Administration of grant, financial and technical assistance activities for Amtrak and all other grantees and funding partners associated with FRA’s portfolio of competitive grant funds are suspended (grant reimbursements to states will be made with the exception of final vouchers). Similarly, FRA’s support to the Build America Bureau regarding the transition of administration for the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan program is also halted.

Read the complete report at https://www.transportation.gov/mission/budget/operations-during-lapse-annual-appropriations